Apologies in advance for the length of this post, but it involves my kid!
Friends, sometimes you have to rethink your positions based on bias or ignorance. I have a freshman daughter who this summer went to a 1 week wrestling camp at her new high school. My wife and I were hesitant to allow her to attend but she was insistent so we said yes. We didn’t realize in that one week she would fall in love with the sport. She’s always been an athlete (not a great one) who’s participated in travel softball and rec soccer. Those two sports allowed her to make friends, learn about teamwork and stoke her competitive spirit.
What I’ve learned about wrestling so far is it’s a much bigger commitment on a personal level. From a time standpoint it’s not much more, but unless you want to continually get your ass kicked and get pinned you’ve got to take it seriously. This kid has gotten better over the year. She didn’t pick up her first win until her third tournament. In fact she’s now beaten three girls who all beat and pinned her the first go around. I couldn’t be more proud of her.
My wife and I were a little concerned how healthy it would be to make weight. From what I’ve heard and seen the days of spitting in a cup and taking ex lax are a thing of the past.
If your kid (girl or boy) is looking for a new sport and maybe could use a little discipline and structure I would highly recommend trying out wrestling.
This year the IHSAA finally approved it and the inangural state tournament has already begun. In fact my kid took 4th place in the Ben Davis sectional and qualified for the Mooresville regional this Friday. I don’t expect her to qualify for state but what a great first year.
I will say of all the years I’ve watched her compete in sports I’ve never been as nervous and engaged as now.
Friends, sometimes you have to rethink your positions based on bias or ignorance. I have a freshman daughter who this summer went to a 1 week wrestling camp at her new high school. My wife and I were hesitant to allow her to attend but she was insistent so we said yes. We didn’t realize in that one week she would fall in love with the sport. She’s always been an athlete (not a great one) who’s participated in travel softball and rec soccer. Those two sports allowed her to make friends, learn about teamwork and stoke her competitive spirit.
What I’ve learned about wrestling so far is it’s a much bigger commitment on a personal level. From a time standpoint it’s not much more, but unless you want to continually get your ass kicked and get pinned you’ve got to take it seriously. This kid has gotten better over the year. She didn’t pick up her first win until her third tournament. In fact she’s now beaten three girls who all beat and pinned her the first go around. I couldn’t be more proud of her.
My wife and I were a little concerned how healthy it would be to make weight. From what I’ve heard and seen the days of spitting in a cup and taking ex lax are a thing of the past.
If your kid (girl or boy) is looking for a new sport and maybe could use a little discipline and structure I would highly recommend trying out wrestling.
This year the IHSAA finally approved it and the inangural state tournament has already begun. In fact my kid took 4th place in the Ben Davis sectional and qualified for the Mooresville regional this Friday. I don’t expect her to qualify for state but what a great first year.
I will say of all the years I’ve watched her compete in sports I’ve never been as nervous and engaged as now.